Eagles Camp Day 10: Nakobe Dean Returns, Philly Preps for Ravens

The Philadelphia Eagles welcomed Nakobe Dean back after the quarterback of their defense had missed team drills in four consecutive practices with an ankle issue.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles put the punctuation on the first phase of the summer before Saturday's preseason opener in Baltimore.

Coach Nick Sirianni called for an "orange practice" that lasted just under an hour with the second team getting more work than the starters.

The good news is the injury front in that the Eagles' emphasis on managing players during training camp has again worked. Mike linebacker Nakobe Dean returned to team drills after missing that portion of practice for four consecutive sessions with an ankle injury.

The second-year linebacker worked at practice Wednesday in a limited fashion by participating in only individual work. By Thursday, he was back as the quarterback of the defense with a rotating cast next to him at the Will spot. Nicholas Morrow got the first rep on the weak side but Christian Elliss and the recently acquired Myles Jack also mixed in at times.

For the first time, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota got more reps than starter Jalen Hurts, a nod to the playing time against the Ravens.

While Sirianni was non-committal on starters playing, even if Hurts does get some action, it would only be for a series or two at the most if the first is unsuccessful.

Mariota would then likely get most of the first half with rookie Tanner McKee and Ian Book finishing things from there. Mariota continues to surge a bit after a slow start, something that coincides with the arrival of Josh Andrews as the backup center.

The play of the day might have been the savvy ball-handling of Mariota at the goal when he faked an inside hand-off and favor of a QB keeper for an easy touchdown.

Here are the daily observations from the short session: 

-DeVonta Smith was back after being excused Wednesday to attend the sentencing hearing of his best friend Henry Ruggs in Las Vegas. Ruggs, a former Raiders receiver and teammate of Smith's at Alabama, was sentenced to three to 10 years in Nevada state prison after he pleaded guilty in the fatal DUI crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog.

Sirianni was chatting with Smith during the stretch period and quarterback Jalen Hurts hugged one of his top targets before the start of practice.

-The only Eagles on the injury list are edge rusher Patrick Johnson (ankle) and receiver Deon Cain (ankle) so they will likely miss the preseason opener against the Ravens.

-Undrafted rookie Joseph Ngata got a few reps with the ones for the first time, a clear indication he's at the top of the group behind A.J. Brown, Smith, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus. Ngata had a chance at a TD but Hurts' fastball was a little too high at the back of the end zone. 

-Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert were working well today frustrating Elliss with a pitch and catch that looked like a point guard dishing to a big man posting up.     

-James Bradberry is back from his sore groin so second-year cornerback Josh Jobe is back with the second team where Jobe dominated with lockdown coverage. A second-year player, Jobe really gained some confidence while working against A.J. Brown and Smith while holding his own.

-Bradberry complimented receiver Olamide Zaccheaus after practice. OZ as he's known to his teammates struggled with drops earlier in camp but has settled down recently and caught a long touchdown pass from Mariota today when Greedy Williams dropped the coverage. Zaccheaus also snared a pass from Hurts in double coverage during 7-on-7s.

-Rookie safety Sydney Brown has fallen behind Justin Evans for now as the team's fifth safety. Terrell Edmunds, meanwhile, is now getting the majority of the first-team reps over K'Von Wallace as the complement to Reed Blankenship.

-Jalen Carter dominated against the second- and third-team offensive lines with pretty consistent pushes. The No. 9 overall pick is still working behind Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams for now.

-Former Eagles Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins was at practice today and spent some time visiting with All-Pro center Jason Kelce after. 

-Before practice, Sirianni noted that he loves Derek Barnett’s competitiveness when asked about the sust-up the defensive end had at practice on Wednesday with Landon Dickerson. Barnett thought Dickerson got him with an illegal block and retaliated, drawing a personal foul penalty. The coach said it will be good teaching lesson, noting you have to play tough, nasty, and aggressive but within the rules.

-The Eagles will have a walkthrough that is closed to the media Friday before Saturday's preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, who have won an astonishing 23 consecutive preseason games. Following that, the Cleveland Browns will be in town on Monday and Tuesday of next week for joint practices before a Thursday night game at Lincoln Financial Field.

 -Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Philadelphia Eagles? Click Here.

Want even more Philadelphia Eagles news? Check out the SI.com team page here

-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen